Top 10 New Motorcycles To Watch For At EICMA

Ducati Monster 1200

Photo from Motociclismo.it.

Ducati’s big-bore, liquid-cooled Monsters like the S4 and S4R S have always been a favorite with us and consumers alike. So when the 1098 was introduced with its brutish Testastretta engine, we figured it would eventually be stuffed into a Monster chassis. However, Ducati stuck it into its new Streetfighter line.

But with Monster sales outnumbering Streetfighter sales 3.5 to 1, it looks like the boys in Bologna finally realized mating the 1199cc engine (from the Multistrada and Diavel) to a Monster chassis is the way forward. We’ll get our first look at the production version of the Monster 1200 November 4, the night before EICMA 2013 begins.

We reported on this discovery back in June, with photos seen in Italian magazine Motociclismo.it, Moto.it and MCN. Not much in the way of official information is available, but it’s all but certain the engine is the 1199cc Testastretta “11 degrees,” which is in reference to valve overlap. The Superbikes used a 41-degree overlap for top end power, while the 11-degree engine provides better low- to mid-range torque which better suits the Monster’s job description. From here we can see a single-sided swingarm and stacked exhaust setup similar to the Diavel. We’d expect some Bologna flair to trickle in to the mix in the form of Ducati’s electronic suite, too.

Update: We’ve now learned a few more details thanks to a Ducati forum member who placed a deposit on a new Monster 1200. According to his dealer, there will be two Monsters initially: a base Monster only available in Ducati red, and a Monster S model, available in both red and white. The base model is priced at $13,990 and features a 135 hp version of the Testastretta engine. The S model, meanwhile, is $16,490 (both prices include all fees) and comes equipped with Ohlins suspension, carbon fiber trim and 10 more horses.

Much of what I saw in the inner faring particularly the instrument cluster was too unfinished for production, which suggests to me that it may have been part of the camouflage. Additionally, the switch gear looks like a carryover from the current bike where I had heard that the new one would have multiple traction control and riding modes that would be controlled by the multi-controller as on the K16. So I’m still very excited to see what the production model will be like. As you point out we have been waiting of this bike for a long time and I personally have put off replacing my current bike waiting for it, in another week I may have a much better idea of what I’m going to do.

Kevin Duke

Yep, you can bet on K16-style switchgear and multi-controller, plus ride modes and TC. If its $18k-or-so price doesn’t frighten you, I’m quite sure it will be worth your wait!

Kevin

In todays market $18K to 20K for a comfortable long distance touring bike with serious technology in place sounds like a bargain.

DeadArmadillo

The Honda is at least interesting. The others? Same ol’ Same ol’. Ducati and Veloce? Someone actually gives a rat’s rectum?

Craig Hoffman

The big CTX looks like a Motus beat to death with an ugly stick, and the Motus, while it is a very interesting bike, was never a good looking to begin with.
That new KTM 390 looks like a barrel of laughs, a perfect tight canyon weapon and Streets of Willow track day toy. I would like it better if it was a 450 though.

james lagnese

The water cooled RT should be there as well, but no mention here. As usual, stunad editors. The same ones that gave us bikes for tall people…cruisers. WTF?

michaelfalke

I was a teenager in the late 60′s early 70′s and those are the motorcycles that made my blood run hot, (still does). The motorcycles produced today are hideous. The sportbikes just look uncomfortable, I don’t have to ride them to know. The Cruisers look nice but I can take them or leave them. They don’t entice me into a show room. In 1969 you could buy a beautiful Honda CB350 for $750. It would take you across country if you wanted to go. It was easy to work on, and sexy to ride. And believe it or not was considered a BIG motorcycle. Today a 750 isn’t even taken seriously as a real bike. Times have truly changed and not for the better.

Kevin Duke

I suggest not caring what others consider a “real bike.” A Ninja 300 would blow away the performance of a CB350.

michaelfalke

Speed is not what I was talking about. If that were the only criteria for purchasing a modern motorcycle then almost anything sold today above 250cc would quality. I am also talking about comfort, esthetics, all around practicality. Not to mention that in my opinion bikes of the 60′s and early 70′s just looked nicer. I’ve always loved the use of chrome on fenders, wide comfortable seats that included the passenger. Tail lights that looked like they belonged on the bike and not a space ship. Though impractical spoked wheels were elegant and there was nothing wrong with a simple analog gauge cluster to keep you informed.

selarsson

Nowadays you need 750 just to keep up with traffic. Cars are faster than they used to be and soccer moms have mad cow disease, drive minibus sized vans and kep cellphones stuck in their ears.

Keith Lamb

I just rode a 30 year old 450 on the freeway to work this morning and had no trouble passing everything else out there. If you need a 750 just to keep up with minivans, don’t blame the soccer moms.

michaelfalke

One of my most joyful experiences was as a young man having ridden only small motorcycles to that point, getting a chance to ride a friend’s Honda CL450 scrambler for a couple days while my Yamaha 180cc was in the shop. It was a gloriously powerful and fast machine had no problem keeping up with traffic. My 180 at the time would haul my 165 lb frame up to 90 without a problem but the CL450 could easily top a hundred. And who seriously needs to go that fast?

selarsson

The top speed hasn’t changed, nor have the speed limits, so that isn’t the issue, but acceleration has. I’ve been riding the same bike for the past twelve years and I noticed that it’s a little harder now to pull away from the pack at the red light than it was twelve years ago. And yes, the bike pulls just as hard as it used to and I weight just the same. A 600 sport bike has no problem keeping up, but hop on top a 600 or 800 cruiser and will feel inadequate.

michaelfalke

I don’t find cars any faster today than I did when I was a kid. I do however find the enormity of pick up trucks to be most intimidating. Especially when driven by small women texting while they drive.